Utility Assistance Programs

1. Utility Assistance Programs Southern California Gas Company’s & Southern California Edison’s

2. Welcome!!! Thank you so much for volunteering at this agency! We are glad to have you assist us in helping the community with Utility Assistance. This presentation is being shown to you to you to inform you about the Utility Assistance Programs, and assist you with completing the applications for either the EAF or GAF program.

3. What is the Utility Assistance Program • The Utility Assistance Program are two separate assistance programs offered to customers who meet income qualifications set by federal guidelines. • GAF – (Gas Assistance Fund) for customer’s of “Southern California Gas Company” • EAF – (Energy Assistance Fund) for customer’s of Southern California Edison”

4. WHAT IS GAF • The GAF Program is the “Gas Assistance Fund” and it is offered for customers of Southern California Gas Company. • The GAF Program usually operates during the Winter months, typically starting in January or February lasting for approximately 3-4 months or until funds are depleted. • The GAF Program pays only up to a maximum of $100 on a customer’s bill; one time during the program for that year.

5. WHAT IS EAF • The EAF Program is the “Energy Assistance Fund” and it is offered for customers of Southern California Edison. • The EAF Program operates at various times throughout the year, depending on the availability of program funds. • The EAF Program pays only up to a maximum of $100 on a customer’s bill or up to $200 for an all electric home verified by calling Edison; one time within a 12-month period.

6. General Program Guidelines • Program Period: • Southern California Gas Company’s Gas Assistance Fund: • Winter assistance program operates from January or February lasting for approximately 3-4 months or until program funds are depleted • Southern California Edison’s EAF Program: • Program is operated at various times through the year based on program funding. Typically considered a summer assistance

7. Eligibility Requirements • Applicant must: • Be a customer of SCE and or SCG • Meet the income guidelines • Provide agency with a current utility bill • Customer of record must reside in the home • Application must be for a single family home, not a business.

8. Eligibility RequirementsContinued • Qualified GAF applicants are eligible for assistance once during the program period (February through April) • Qualified EAF applicants are eligible for assistance once during a 12-month period. • Master metered and sub-metered clients of apartment buildings and mobile home parks must also provide: • Written authorization to receive assistance • Master Meter account number

9. 2011/2012 EAF and GAF Income Guidelines

10. Required Documentation

11. Scheduling and Processing Before Scheduling an Appointment • Determine client’s eligibility • Advise the client that his/her name must be on the utility bill. • Advise the client of the necessary documentation: • current utility bill and proof of total household income.

12. Verifying Eligibility During Appointment • Verify that the client meets the income eligibility requirements and has documented proof of income. • Make copies of income eligibility documentation to be kept on file at agency, and to include with tracking sheets. • Keep documents for a minimum of three years for audit purposes.

13. Assistance Scenario 1 • If client’s bill is less than $100, pay only the amount due – not $100.

14. Assistance Scenario 2 • If the client’s bill is greater than $100, pay only the maximum of $100 GAF and EAF ($200 for verified all electric home for Edison) • Advise the client: • He or she must pay the remaining balance owed, and or make any necessary payment arrangements.

15. Assistance Scenario 3 • Client has a disconnection notice • Notify the utility immediately (before the client leaves agency). • GAF: 1 (888) 427-6244 • EAF : 1 (800) 525-5770 • Advise the client: • He or she must pay the remaining balance owed, and or make any necessary payment arrangements.

16. Assistance Scenario 4 • Client’s service has been disconnected and the bill exceeds $100. • Pledge the maximum assistance and advise client to contact the utility to pay the additional balance and any deposits and fees. • Provide client with a list of authorized payment facilities.

17. Completing the application • Please make sure to write legible • The agency representative must fill in the application for assistance. • Fill in all requested information • If the customer on the bill is not applying for the assistance, please put the name and relationship of the person applying, and the reason the customer of record is not applying. Both Edison and the Gas Company have different rules for this, please see appendix A

18. Completing the Application - Continued • All persons in the home with income must be listed. • Make sure to include the total number in household. • Make sure the customer both prints and signs their name for the assistance • Make sure the customer initials for receipt of the customer flyer • If the customer is applying for CARE make sure they sign the bottom of the application also.

19. Completing the Tracking Report Important Things to remember: • Date • Print name and sign • Agency site code • Enter beginning balance • Enter each client’s name, account number and the amount being pledged • Check your balances • Submit (MAIL) weekly

20. Batching and Mailing GAFApplications • Blue & canary - attach client’s bill • Pink – retain as agency site for minimum of 3 years for audit purposes • Goldenrod – provide to client PLEASE DO NOT STAPLE

21. Batching and Mailing EAF Applications • White, green & canary - attach client’s bill and proof of income • Pink – retain as agency site for minimum of 3 years for audit purposes • Goldenrod – provide to client PLEASE DO NOT STAPLE

22. Mailing Applications to UWGLA APPLICATIONS AND TRACKING SHEETS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED WEEKLY Mail completed applications and weekly tracking sheets to: Patricia Bañuelos United Way of Greater Los Angeles 1150 S. Olive Street., Suite T500 Los Angeles, CA 90015

23. Other Contact Information Patricia Bañuelos pbanuelos@unitedwayla.org Greta Shelton Southern California Gas Company (213) 244-4604 gshelton@semprautilities.com Maricela Carlos Southern California Edison Company Maricela.Carlos@sce.com (626) 302-0748